Command: How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts

This updated guide examines Command: How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Windows

1. Understand how key shortcuts work. To use a key shortcut, you will hold down one or more modifier keys and press a letter (or another modifier key). Modifier keys include the following:^[1]
   • Ctrl- Usually found on the left and right sides of the keyboard. The rightCtrlkey will be just left of the arrow keys.
   • Alt- Found on the left and right sides of the keyboard, farther in toward the center of the keyboard thanCtrl.
   • ⇧Shift- Symbolized by an upward-facing arrow, this key is on the left and right sides of the keyboard.
   • Fn- The "function" key allows you to use secondary functions of other keys. Commands that use the function keys (e.g.,F8) may require use of theFnkey.
   • ⊞Win- This key displays the Windows logo, and is normally in the bottom-left side of your keyboard.
   • Arrow keys - While not technically modifier keys, the arrow keys can be used to select items.
   • ↵Enter- This key allows you to open a selected item. It's essentially a mouse left-click.
2. Use general key shortcuts to access Windows features. These combinations help you perform basic Windows tasks:
   • F1- Open the Help page. You must have Internet access for this. If your computer has anFnkey, you may need to hold it while pressingF1.
   • ⇧Shift+F10- Bring up the context menu for a selected item. This is usually accomplished by right-clicking.
   • Ctrl+⇧Shift+Esc- Open the Task Manager.
   • Ctrl+Alt+Del- Open the Windows Security menu. (works from XP to 10)
   • Alt+Space- Bring up the current window's System menu, from which you can resize, minimize, maximize, or move the current window.
   • Ctrl+Tab↹- Move through current window's tabs (e.g., in a browser).
   • Ctrl+Esc- Open the Start menu.
   • Alt+Tab↹- Switch between currently open windows, excluding the desktop.
   • Alt+F4- Close an open window or program.
   • ⇧Shift+Delete- Permanently delete a selected item. This will bypass the Recycle Bin, though you'll need to click OK to confirm.
   • ⊞Win- Open Start.
   • ⊞Win+L- Lock the computer. If your computer doesn't use a password, this will still take you to the user selection screen.
   • ⊞Win+R- Open the Run box.
   • ⊞Win+M- Minimize all open windows and display the desktop.
   • ⇧Shift+⊞Win+M- Restore all minimized windows.
   • ⊞Win+E- Open File Explorer.
   • ⊞Win+Ctrl+F- Find another computer on your network (networked computers only).
   • ⊞Win+Tab↹- View all currently open Windows.
   • ⊞Win+⎊Break- Open the System Properties window.
   • ⊞Win+⎙PrtScr- Take a screenshot.
   • Ctrl+F- Open a search bar to look for specific words or phrases on the page.
3. Use keyboard shortcuts to help with typing, copying, and pasting. There are several text-editing shortcuts in Windows that extend to most instances of typing, as well as file copying and pasting:
   • Ctrl+C- Copy selected text. You can also use this to copy selected files or folders.
   • Ctrl+X- Copy and remove selected text (known as "cutting").
   • Ctrl+V- Paste copied text at the cursor. This also works with files and folders.
   • Ctrl+Z- Undo the last action. Depending on the program, this command can be used multiple times to undo multiple mistakes.
   • Ctrl+Y- Reverse the last undo. Depending on the program, this command can be used multiple times to revert multiple undo commands.
   • Ctrl+P- Print your document.
   • Ctrl+S- Save your document.
   • Ctrl+B- Bold the selected text. This will work in Microsoft Office products and most email providers.
   • Ctrl+U- Underline the selected text. This will work in Microsoft Office products and most email providers.
   • Ctrl+I- Italicize the selected text. This will work in Microsoft Office products and most email providers.
4. Use keyboard shortcuts inFile Explorer. There are a few keyboard shortcuts you can use to navigate in the File Explorer:
   • F2- Rename a selected item.
   • F4- Places the mouse cursor in the address bar.
   • F5- Refreshes the folder.
   • F6- Selects a different pane in the File Explorer window.
   • Ctrl+A- Selects every item in the current window.
   • Alt+↵Enter- Open a selected item's Properties menu.
5. Use key shortcuts with the mouse. Most programs have an advanced menu that can be accessed using the mouse while pressing a key:
   • ⇧Shift+ Right-Click - Shows a drop-down menu with extra options based on the item you're right-clicking.
   • ⇧Shift+ Double-Click - Runs the alternate double-click command, which is the second option in the right-click drop-down menu.
   • Alt+ Double-Click - Open an item's Properties window.

Method 2of 2:

Mac

1. Understand how key shortcuts work. To use a key shortcut, you will hold down one or more modifier keys and press a letter (or another modifier key). Modifier keys include the following:^[2]
   • ⌘Command- Located on the left and right sides of the spacebar.
   • ⌥Option- Located next to the⌘Commandkeys.
   • Control- Located on the left side of the keyboard.
   • Fn- Located in the bottom-left side of the keyboard. This key activates the alternative uses for the "Function" keys (e.g.,F8).
   • ⇧Shift- Located on the left and right sides of the keyboard.
   • Arrow keys - While not technically modifier keys, the arrow keys can be used to select items.
   • ⏎Return- Located on the right side of the keyboard. Allows you to open a selected item.
2. Use keyboard shortcuts for common actions. Instead of using the mouse or a program's buttons, you can use your Mac's keyboard to do things like copying files or text, and opening certain programs:
   • ⌘Command+X- Copy selected text or file, then delete it from the current location (also called "cutting").
   • ⌘Command+C- Copy selected text or file without deleting it.
   • ⌘Command+V- Paste a copied item.
   • ⌘Command+Z- Undo the last command.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+Z- Redo the last command if you used the Undo command.
   • ⌘Command+A- Select all items in your current folder.
   • ⌘Command+F- Open the search bar in a specific window, browser, or program.
   • ⌘Command+G- Find the next instance of an item (e.g., a word) you searched for.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+G- Find the previous instance of an item you searched for.
   • ⌘Command+H- Hide the front (currently open) app or program's window.
   • ⌘Command+⌥Option+H- Hide all windows except the front app or program.
   • ⌘Command+M- Minimize the front window.
   • ⌘Command+⌥Option+M- Minimize all front app's windows.
   • ⌘Command+N- Open a new document, window, or tab depending on the program you're using.
   • ⌘Command+O- Open a selected item (e.g., a file or folder).
   • ⌘Command+P- Print the current document.
   • ⌘Command+S- Save your current document.
   • ⌘Command+Q- Quit the front app.
   • ⌘Command+Esc- Open the Force Quit menu.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+⌥Option+Esc- Hold for three seconds to force-quit the front app.
   • ⌘Command+Space- Bring up the Spotlight search bar.
   • ⌘Command+Tab↹- Switch to the next open app.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+~- Switch to the next window of the front app.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+3- Take a full-screen screenshot.
   • ⌘Command+,- Open the front app's preferences.
3. Make your computer sleep, log out, or shut down. There are several shortcuts you can use to lock down your computer quickly:
   • Control+ Power button - Bring up the Sleep/Restart/Shut down menu.
   • Control+⌘Command+ Power button - Force your Mac to reboot.
   • Control+⇧Shift+ Power button - Shut off your Mac's screen.
   • Control+⌘Command+ Media eject button - Quit all apps, then restart.
   • Control+⌥Option+⌘Command+ Power button - Quit all apps, then shut down.
   • ⇧Shift+⌘Command+Q- Brings up a prompt that, when accepted, logs you out of your account.
   • ⌥Option+⇧Shift+⌘Command+Q- Logs you out of your account without asking to confirm.
4. Use shortcuts to navigate the Finder. You can use keyboard shortcuts to perform several actions inside of the Finder:
   • ⌘Command+D- Duplicate selected items.
   • ⌘Command+E- Eject a selected drive (e.g., flash drive).
   • ⌘Command+F- Open Spotlight in the Finder.
   • ⌘Command+I- Display the Get Info window for a selected item.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+C- Open the Computer folder.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+D- Open the Desktop folder.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+F- Open the All My Files folder.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+G- Open a Go to Folder search.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+H- Open your Mac's Home folder.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+I- Open iCloud Drive.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+K- Open the Network window.
   • ⌥Option+⌘Command+L- Open the Downloads folder.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+O- Open the Documents folder.
   • ⌘Command+⇧Shift+R- Open the AirDrop utility.